Reviews of Kouros Fraîcheur (1993)
by Yves Saint Laurent

Don't be put off by the lame "Fresh" label here. This is NOT some wussy "sport" or "fresh" fragrance you'd buy at Macy's. "Light" or "Fresh" versions of heavy, powerful fragrance are almost always garbage and inferior to the original, but this one works amazingly well. Basically, it's what the label says - it smells just like the original Kouros, but isn't as heavy, and has stronger top notes than the original. I think the difference from the original is that Fraicheur has more citrus and less civet. The civet is still there (it's what makes Kouros, Kouros), but it's not as in your face as in the original. My wife bought me this about 12 years ago, and I'm happy to see that YSL is still making Kouros Fraicheur. This is great stuff.

I don't know why this scent is no longer widely available because it's much better than the original Kouros and other variants. I picked up my first bottle at the airport on the way to Egypt about 14 years ago and even now it brings back memories of red sunsets and the most wonderful evenings spent under the stars. The orange and pineapple notes are very subtle but add a new depth to the original bergamot. A real gentleman's fragrance and a classic.

Party people!!

Same as original Kouros, but with a much less loud civet-note. Otherwise very 80s, very Butch, very kinky.

Best for Dark Room parties.

Kouros for the faint hearted. I LOVE the original and this is just like the original except in power as several people already mentioned. It is good to have if you will be in a crowded place, or if you care about your co workers' noses. Other than that, just get the original and spray lighly maybe? See my thread: Kouros Colmplete St review for info on this and other Kouros flankers.

Not a lie, a lighter version of Kouros. A lighter and more wearable version of Kouros that might be too light for the true fans of the "dirty" Kouros. Still has that infamous urinious note but it's much more subtle. I think there's an added citrus note as well.

I waited a long time to find this rare item and yesterday I found it, actually bought 2 of 100ml. Now my thoughts:

EXACTLY like the original in scent, only lighter in power. At times, one does not find the potent smell (which many call civet) however, it does pop up here and there. I do not notice any pineapple or orange blossom. All I get from this - the original Kouros, just fresher/lighter.

I like it because I like the original, so I'll give it thumbs up. Actually I think this is what Kouors SHOULD have been. YSL would have made more from it. If you like the original but can't wear it because of the strength, search for this and get it.

I am a little dissapointed because all I've heard is how much fresher it is and when I saw pineapple and orange blossom I was excited...then I opened the box and sprayed it. Oh well, still a nice scent and has the lasting power of Kouros.

this is by far the closest to the original Kouros of all the Kouros variants. so if you want to "work your way up" to the grandmaster, this is your ticket. however, what is missing -- either totally (my guess) or very substantially -- is the infamous civet note that gives the original Kouros its wonderfully vile fecal / body odor stink. for those of you who like Kouros primarily for this quality, you can pass this one on by. but since i like the actual fragrance of Kouros anyway and don't always want to progress into a body-odor bonanza, i like and wear this one.

Multidimensional and great fragrance which people don't readily pick up on. OK, hardly ever anybody can name it. 8/10 On my skin, top and base notes blend together and are difficult to distinguish - but it is unmistakably full refined oriental/fourage mix which is unique to this fragrance. Excellent lasting power. I got it as a dual EDT package gift, and I always wore this rather than original kourus which is stronger but more bland with fourage/incense only smell. I would agree this scent is a 'hidden' gem.

This is probably the best of the lighter/fresher Kouroses. The pineapple kind of messes this one up for me, as it's not a note I'm very fond of in men's fragrances (I have the same issue with the DK Fuels). It is however, the most Kouros-like of the Kouros light derivatives, and to my nose, the least synthetic smelling. The other light versions seem to be more about modern (if synthetic) woods like cedar, with some mint. This one retains the basic fougere-oriental (fougiental?) quality of Kouros with that signature, atypical melange of notes. If you like Kouros, but want something a little lighter for the office or warmer weather, then this is probably a good option for you.

This smells *exactly* like regular Kouros, except a little less strong, and with a barely detectable synthetic freh citrus note. It's good, but if you have one you have the other. Maybe this one is a little better if you want a little less "sweat" in your Kouros.

The name phonetically says it all: "Kouros, fresher!"

Very Nice...It is Really a Kouros "Light" IMO.
Fresh, Clean and Dirty at the same time. I received no strange looks at work...1 compliment and a few smiles....YAY-YAH!

There is a king of fresh and his name is Kouros Fraicheur. Soapy and seductive, it's everything you loved in the original Kouros in a much more wearable form. Earning several compliments, it's my favorite spring/summer fragrance. Lasts throughout the day, the scent will linger on your clothes: all of my jacket collars carry the distinct tag of Kouros Fraicheur. It amazes me how little is known of this gem of a fragrance.

WOW! As a devoted fan of Kouros, I had scoffed at the notion of Kouros Light. Wrong again! This Kouros Fraîcheur stuff is wickedly gorgeous—it is less blatantly sexual but abundantly more sensual than big brother Kouros. It is easily recognizable as a close relative: Lighter, brighter, more playful, it’s like training wheels for those getting ready for the big time ride. A great fragrance for those who want to love Kouros but are afraid. This one will be gentle as it takes you to the place you KNOW you want to go.

This was the lecture that the Baron de Charlus delivered to the Society of Perfumes in Paris on the subject of Kouros Fraicheur: 'Messieurs and mesdames, I hear that this strange cousin of Kouros retreated to the deep Grecian woods and there established his hermitage. The inevitable Kouros smells of goats, sex, and barbarism were as ever in evidence, but now they were tempered with the mossy water from the cousin's well and the foliage and minerals from the damp ground of his grotto. It lent a mystery that was both raw and abstract. He lived there alone for many a year until at last a beautiful princess came and claimed him for her own, seduced by his strange perfume.'

This is the sort of fragrance you apply in the store, are somewhat impressed, and finally it slips your mind. The next day, or whenever you wear the same shirt, it gets you. You know, the "my God what was I wearing that day, it's incredible!" This was such a fragrance, and a full bottle was in my hands before sundown. Fresh, sexy and an absolute magnet. You must try.